Hinting At Shadows by @Sarahbrentyn Book Review

There are just some books that when you read them, you can’t help but be astounded at their magic. The way they weave words, paint pictures, make you really feel emotions. Sarah Brentyn is one of those authors. Here’s my review.

Amazon Blurb

No One Escapes Life Unscathed Delve into the deeper reaches of the human condition and the darkness that lives there. A girl haunted by her sister’s drowning. A boy desperate for his father’s affection. A woman forced to make a devastating decision. A man trapped by his obsessions. Experience tales of love, loss, murder, and madness through this collection of flash and micro fiction. Take a peek behind the smile of a stranger. Get a glimpse inside the heart of a friend. Scratch the surface and discover what is hidden beneath. These stories will open your mind, tug at your thoughts, and allow you to explore the possibility that, even in the brightest moments, something is Hinting at Shadows. Author’s Note: Each selection is approximately 100 words, with a bonus section of Microbursts in which each story is told in 50 words or less.

This is a book of short stories, really short stories, micro flash and microbursts. Perfect for a reader with no time. I read this entire book in about an hour, and boy was it a delightful hour. Brentyn has this magical ability to cut to the source of humanity. To exquisitely examine truths, but not the ones filled with light and joy, oh no, her skills lie on the more twisted side of the line. She cuts to the dark truths were all harbouring deep in our psyche. The secrets we don’t want people to know, the choices were terrified we might make. This book is a beautiful portrayal of the half of humanity we don’t discuss. Her descriptive skills are frankly ridiculous. I wish I could write like that. Her words sing off the page with the poise of a ballerina and the skill of a world-class opera singer.

If you fancy something different, something that will challenge you, change you, scratch the darker side of you, I highly recommend Brentyn’s book.

I only have one criticism. It wasn’t long enough. She needs to write a novel… Now that would be spectacular.

Have you read the book? What did you think? Let me know in the comments below.

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It’s the next on my TBR. As I’ve told her often enough she’s been my role model as a flash writer. She is the best, the nonpareil, the grandest of fromages… ah one day I may be half that good… lovely review by the way esp the ballerina bit. I get that entirely.

Thank you – someone really slated me on Goodreads when I wrote that, but it’s true. That is exactly how her writing makes me feel. I am so with you, she is one of the most talented writers I’ve ever met, I wish I could write half as well as her. I am desperate for her to write a novel, it would be CRAZY good.

It’s on my kindle right now. Sarah is such a good writer, she needs to write a novel! And I need to read this book! Great review, Sacha – can’t believe someone slated you on Goodreads, that place is a bit of a swamp, really.

When I read your first sentence, I was reminded of a book I read decades ago..

“This House of Sky” by Ivan Doig.

If I could only write like that book was written. Doig has published other books since, but none measured up to the magic in his autobiography of him growing up in the rugged wilderness of western Montana among sheepherders and small towns.

Absolutely! I know how important reviews are–I even have a post about it :)–I’ve just been struggling to keep on top of life recently and a few things have fallen by the wayside. But I’m picking them up now!

Ooooh. What an awesome review, Sacha. I follow Sarah’s blog and love engagin with her. I have her book in my ipad, but haven’t cracked it yet. This just pushes it closer to the top. Congrats to Sarah on a winning book. 🙂

Sacha, I had no idea you had another blog, lovely to stumble across this! Sarah’s book sounds fabulous and your review is brilliant. ?? After praise such as : ‘Her words sing off the page with the poise of a ballerina and the skill of a world-class opera singer.’ I imagine Sarah is now pirouetting with joy! I’ll definitely take a closer look at this. Thank you so much for sharing.

Hi, Annika, it’s new don’t worry! I haven’t given it too much time just yet. At the minute it’s mostly book reviews, but I will start to build up more content over the summer. It’s basically a site for my fiction books. I’m not 100% sure if I will keep both sites, but my fiction isn’t really congruent with my non-fiction website, so not sure what to do yet!

HA! I know right. SO many to read. I’ve set myself a tall target for this year – I am reading less blogs in favour of reading people’s actual books. I figure they would rather I bought and read them anyway and I don’t have time to be 100% on both, so books it is!